“This CD with the first four string quartets reflects the interesting path of Rihm’s artistic development. The Minguet Quartet approaches the first two, shorter, works with audibly high concentration without relinquishing, in the frenzy of high-energy playing, their own cultivated sound born from quartet tradition. Here, Rihm’s third quartet, with its not unproblematic subtitle ‘Im Innersten’ (‘at the innermost core’), does not become self-indulgent navel-gazing, the display of sounding extremity. Here, music is made finely calibrated and with a very open ear for subtle nuances – not to forget crystal-clear intonation. The aspects of this music, i.e. its expressive force, its scintillating and incisive brightness, its shadowlike opacity, but also its yearning for romantic transfiguration or its deathlike silence – none of these ever become presumptuous or obtrusive. The listener is left to himself and can, so to speak, observe the baring of Rihm’s musical self from a distance.” Klassik Heute, September, 2003

1CD

Instrumental

String Quartet

Contemporary

Recommendation

In his Dis-Kontur and Sub-Kontur, the young Rihm strongly revolted against the emotional coolness he en-countered in the style of the musical avant-garde.

The diversity of the seemingly incompatible: Points, contrasts and shapes of sound in Rihm’s string quartets Nos. 10 and 12 and the Quartettstudie.

Number 4 of the Salzburg Festival “Kontinent” series was dedicated to Wolfgang Rihm. We have compiled a selection of the works for your convenience – including a first recording!